Tag: Dissidents

For all his failings on the domestic side of the ledger, I always respected George W. Bush for his commitment to the idea that human beings have intrinsic dignity and therefore deserve liberty. That’s probably the best thing he could use his post-presidency to promote, and he’s doing just that:

James K. Glassman, Executive Director of the George W. Bush Institute, issued a statement today prior to start of the Institute’s Conference on Cyber Dissidents: Global Successes and Challenges. The conference is being held in conjunction with the human rights organization Freedom House, on the campus of Southern Methodist University.

“Today’s conference launches the George W. Bush Institute’s initiatives in human freedom. It features several dissidents from around the world who are using tools made possible by Internet technology in their important work of advancing democracy and freedom. Dissidents are participating from such nations as Venezuela and China, and dissidents in exile elsewhere in the world from such nations as Cuba, Syria, and Iran. This is a historic event. We believe it is unprecedented for freedom advocates of such talent and courage, from so many nations, to gather in one place to discuss the use of new technology. At few times in history, has work like theirs been more important. But is it being fully appreciated? It is here in Dallas.”